New Delhi, June 2025
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, seeking the urgent grounding of all Boeing aircraft currently operated by Air India, raising serious alarms over aviation safety and regulatory lapses.
The petition, filed by senior advocate Ajay Bansal, comes in the wake of recent incidents involving technical snags and malfunction reports across Air India’s Boeing fleet, including Dreamliner aircraft. The PIL urges the court to intervene and suspend Boeing operations by Air India until a comprehensive safety audit is completed.
Background: Rising Troubles in Air India’s Fleet
The move follows multiple reports of safety-related incidents involving Air India’s Boeing aircraft. From in-flight system failures to unresponsive cockpit equipment and malfunctioning air conditioning units, passengers on both domestic and international routes have repeatedly reported troubling experiences.
While no major casualties have been reported recently, the PIL emphasizes that “waiting for a disaster before acting would be catastrophic and irresponsible.”
What the PIL Seeks:
• Immediate suspension of all Boeing aircraft under Air India, especially the Dreamliner 787 fleet.
• A two-week safety audit by an independent technical body, with public reporting of the findings.
• Investigation into alleged irregularities in DGCA’s spot inspections, with accountability for officers involved in falsified audit entries.
• A directive to implement international best practices in aircraft maintenance and pre-flight safety clearance.
Allegations Made:
The petitioner has alleged that routine safety checks by Air India and DGCA are either forged or inadequately documented, citing a past internal audit that found entries signed off on days when auditors were not even present.
It also raises concern over the lack of transparency in maintenance records, and the failure to replace outdated or malfunctioning components, putting lives at risk.
DGCA’s Response So Far
According to reports, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had initiated inspections of Air India’s Boeing Dreamliners in June 2025 and claimed that no major safety concerns were found in 24 out of 33 inspected aircraft.
However, the PIL counters this claim by presenting records of repeat complaints by crew members and passengers, which allegedly indicate unresolved mechanical issues.
Why This Matters:
With the aviation sector witnessing rapid growth post-COVID, the PIL highlights a critical need to revisit India’s aviation safety framework, especially concerning aircraft procured from foreign manufacturers like Boeing. The petition underscores that passenger confidence and lives are at stake, and lax regulation is not an option.
Case Snapshot
• Case Title: Ajay Bansal v. Union of India & Ors.
